Fabric spreader for circular knitting machine

Abstract

Fabric spreader for knitted goods on a circular knitting machine. The fabric spreader is provided with expanding wings which are pivotably and adjustably supported on a fabric spreader frame and are adjustably spring-loaded with respect to the force generated by the knitted goods being taken up.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a fabric spreader for goods knitted on a circular knitting machine, said machine having a system of main knitting elements and means for taking up the knitted goods under tension, the fabric spreader being disposed between the main knitting elements and the take-up means, the fabric spreader comprising a flat expanding frame adjustable in width, a plurality of flat expanding wings carried by the frame and situated transverse to the taken-up knitted goods, means coupled to an inner portion of each wing for slidably mounting the associated wing for transverse movement on the frame, additional means associated with the slidable mounting means for pivotally supporting the associated wing on the frame, and means individually connected to respective portions of each wing and independent of the slidable mounting means and the pivotal supporting means for adjustably spring-loading the associated wing on the frame against the force exerted on such wing by the taken-up goods. 
     
     
       2. A fabric spreader as in claim 1, wherein the expanding wings have the shape of an isosceles triangle the base of which is situated on the expanding frame and at least one apex of which is rounded with respect to the base and the legs, respectively, the legs receding with respect to the base in the take-up direction of the knitted goods. 
     
     
       3. A fabric spreader as in claim 2, wherein at least a part of the surface of the expanding wing is arched into the taken-up knitted goods. 
     
     
       4. A fabric spreader as in claim 1, wherein the expanding wings are provided with projecting segments for adjustably varying the degree of expansion of the expanding wings. 
     
     
       5. A fabric spreader as defined in claim 1, in which each spring-loading means comprises a two-part telescopic arrangement situated between the outer portion of the associated wing and the frame.